< Back The Richards/Rush Sisters The Richards/Rush Sisters Mvskoke Creek Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 The Richards/Rush sisters have all competed and won national titles in the sport of competitive cheer. Competing at the highest level, they have trained countless hours for years to earn national titles at the All-Star National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) and The Summit. Gabrielle’s (Gabby) athletic career began in Miami, FL at Top Gun All Stars. While at Top Gun she earned three national titles. In her senior year, she moved to Tulsa, OK and competed on the Super Varsity team at Union High School. More than just the titles, Gabby’s athletic career set the bar for her younger sisters in the sport of cheer and inspired them to follow in her footsteps. Today, Gabby continues to inspire and coaches at Cheer Athletics Frisco. Giselle (Gigi) and Danielle (Dani) began tumbling training in Tulsa, OK at the ages of nine and ten at Luxe Athletics. In 2017, accomplished one of the most difficult of feats, by winning both an NCA title and The Summit. Gigi went on to cheer at the University of Oklahoma, and both cheered at the Worlds level (the highest level) at Cheer Athletics Plano, the largest cheer gym in the world. Isabelle (Izzy) began training at age nine. In 2021, she tried out for Cheer Athletics Plano. With Cheer Athletics Plano, she won NCA in 2024 and won The Summit in 2023 and 2024. In the 2024/2025 season she was placed on a Worlds level team, where she competes today. She was offered 15 college cheer scholarships but hopes to follow in her sister’s footsteps and cheer at the University of Oklahoma. Annabelle (Anna) is the youngest and has quite literally been cheering almost as long as she has been walking. Her sisters have taught her flying by putting her up in the air and teaching her flexibility. According to her coaches, she is the most flexible flyer at Cheer Athletics Plano, and fearless in the air. Anna has already won three NCA titles in her young career and placed third at The Summit in 2024 out of 63 teams. <Back

< Back Carolyn Darbyshire-McRorie Carolyn Darbyshire-McRorie Metis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Carolyn was a contributing member of four provincial championships in 1985, 2007, 2009, and 2020. Playing with her mother in 1985, the team represented Manitoba at the Canadians. She moved to Calgary and played in many competitive play downs and an Olympic Trials spot in 2001, where she played all positions on mixed and ladies teams in that time period. Curling with Team Bernard in 2006, they played in various spiels and went on to win two provincial championships, the Olympic Trials in Edmonton and the Silver Medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC. In 2020, she went on to win the Senior Provincial Championship and went to play at the Canadians in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. In 2017, Carolyn went on to get her coaching certificate to give back to her curling community which has given her so much. She has coached a women’s team to their first Alberta Championship and an Olympic Trials spot. In 2018-19, she went on to work in China as the National Women’s curling coach, working with five teams at their Centre located in Beijing. Working closely with two teams, taking them throughout the World Curling Tour events, moved one team from a rank of 50th and 104th to a 24th and 26th ranking in the World Curling standings and a 5th place standing at the World Curling Championships. Carolyn is now back in Canada coaching junior teams for the past two years. Her hopes are to continue curling competitively and working with teams to help give them the knowledge of the game that has given her so much joy and happiness in her life. <Back

< Back Tara Hedican Tara Hedican Eabametoon First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2025 Tara Hedican is one of the world's most accomplished athletes. She has over ten years of international success as an athlete including competing at the world stage and most notably winning Canada’s first Junior World title. She was a dual sport athlete while attending the University of Guelph with all-star accomplishments in both rugby and wrestling and being named a two-time University of Guelph Athlete of the Year. Hedican represented the Ontario region at the national Border Ladner Jervais awards ceremony where she was presented a ring for her accomplishments being one of Canada's best university athletes. In addition to this award she was presented a ring bearing the image of Hiawatha in honour of Tom Longboat as Canada's most decorated Indigenous athlete. Along with her international success she has trained in several countries around the world adding to her training methodology and understanding about international competition. Hedican is a D1 level trained coach and Hockey Academy accredited trainer. She is also a student of the Advanced Coaching Diploma considered to be the top level of Canadian coaching. Hedican has coached and trained internationally recognized athletes under the wing of Canada’s top-level coaches. <Back

< Back Oren Lyons Oren Lyons Onondaga Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation. He serves on the Grand Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy –Haudenosaunee. Oren holds the title of Professor Emeritus at SUNY Buffalo, has a Doctor of Laws Degree from his Alma Mater, Syracuse University and Lyons Hall at SU is named in his honor. Chief Lyons is an All-American Lacrosse Hall of Famer, and Honorary Chairman of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team. He is an accomplished artist, environmentalist, author, and global presenter and holds the title of Wisdom Keeper. He is a leading voice at the UN Permanent Forum on Human Rights for Indigenous Peoples, serves on the Executive Committee of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders for Human Survival, acts as Chairman of the Board for both the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and Seventh Generation Fund. Recipient of several prestigious awards including Green Cross International Environmental Icon Award, founded by Mikhail Gorbachev. The United Nations NGO World Peace Prize, the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor, The Rosa Parks and George Arents Award for Environmental and social activism and receiving Sweden’s prestigious Friends of the Children Award with his colleague the late Nelson Mandela, also included in his list of acknowledgments are the UN World Peace Prize, Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor, Native American Hall of Fame Chief Lyons is a constantly sought-after speaker, a subject of several documentaries, films and a tireless advocate for American Indian causes and Indigenous rights. Oren is a founding member of One Bowl Productions and serves as a constant reminder of humanity’s responsibilities to the earth and our future generations. <Back

< Back Anthony W. Gray Anthony W. Gray Mohawk Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2026 Anthony W. Gray, a lifelong lacrosse athlete and coach, has shaped the game through elite performance, cultural leadership, and long-term coaching impact across multiple levels. A member of the Mohawk Nation, Gray’s career spans high school success, collegiate All-American honors, international competition, and player development from grassroots to elite training environments. As an athlete, Gray starred at Salmon River High School, earning All-Northern Athletic and Academic honors and selection to the Empire State Games. At Northfield Mount Hermon, he was named MVP and Eastern New England All-Star. He went on to Hobart College, where he became a two-time NCAA All-American midfielder, known for his transition play, man-up efficiency, and physical presence. He competed in three World Championships with the Iroquois Nationals (1990, 1994, 1998), serving as captain in 1998 and helping elevate Indigenous lacrosse on the global stage. Gray also competed at the highest levels of Canadian box lacrosse and played professionally with the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. As a coach, Gray led Oakton High School to five district, three regional, and three state titles (2001–2008), with consistent postseason appearances. He also held coaching roles at Wakefield, Robinson, Marshall, St. Paul VI, and Marymount University, where he helped the program return to conference playoffs and led a nationally ranked man-up unit. Gray is a longtime advocate for youth development and skills training. He spent five years with Piranha Lax, helping players develop advanced skills and game IQ through high-level instruction. He also co-founded the North American Box Lacrosse League (NABLL), expanding access to adult competition and building development pathways across North America. Outside of lacrosse, Gray has served for 23 years as an educator in Fairfax County Public Schools, specializing in equity, gifted education, and curriculum development. His work reflects a deep commitment to opportunity, mentorship, and cultural pride—on and off the field. <Back

Provincial Nominees George Attla Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Wally Leask Alaska Sports Hall of Fame John Brown Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Reggie Joule Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Herb Didrickson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Elliott Sampson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Fred Simpson Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Albert Smoke Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Ron Brown Manitoba Sports & Manitoba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Joe Keeper Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Angela Chalmers Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Reg Leach Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jack Jacobs Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jill Mathez Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Robert Bernard Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Seymour Doucette Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame George Tex Marshall Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Sarah Lynn Knockwood Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Chad Denny Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Jesse "Cab" Renick Chickasaw Hall of Fame Jack and Gerry Brisco Chickasaw Hall of Fame

< Back Corbyn Tao Corbyn Tao Nisga’a Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Corbyn Tao is a Nisga’a lacrosse athlete, coach, and leader whose lifelong passion for the game has shaped his identity, career, and commitment to Indigenous communities. Raised in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Tao grew up alongside one older sister and two younger sisters, learning early the values of family, discipline, and perseverance that would guide him throughout his life in sport. Tao attended boarding school in Hudson, Ohio, enrolling at Western Reserve Academy where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete in lacrosse, hockey, and soccer. His dedication to lacrosse led him to a standout junior career, spending most of his development with the Six Nations Arrows before completing his final junior season with the Coquitlam Adanacs. At the collegiate level, Tao attended Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was a four-year starter for the lacrosse program. He graduated with a degree in Business Management, balancing academic success with consistent on-field leadership and performance. Following university, Tao was drafted by the Minnesota Swarm of the National Lacrosse League, where he competed professionally for four seasons. His playing career reflected a deep respect for the game’s roots, strong work ethic, and commitment to team success. After transitioning from player to coach, Tao dedicated nine years to coaching at Breck School, while also leading and mentoring athletes through local travel programs in both box and field lacrosse. His impact extends beyond competition through his role as Executive Director of the Indigenous Lacrosse Alliance, a non-profit organization focused on expanding access and opportunity for Indigenous communities while improving the health and well-being of Indigenous youth through lacrosse. A dual Canadian and American citizen, Corbyn Tao continues to honor the medicine game by using lacrosse as a tool for leadership, cultural connection, and positive change leaving a lasting legacy both on and off the field. <Back

North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) Banquet Sponsorship Information Saturday, June 7, 2025 Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA 2025 Sponsorship Information: The deadline to receive sponsorship payment and copy ready logos is noon central time on June 1, 2025. Payment can be sent to PayPal to code: coach.danninham@midco.net or postal mailed in a check or money order to Empowered Youth Development Initiatives, PO Box 652, Red Lake, MN, USA, 56671. Contact Dr. Dan Ninham at 218.368.6430 or coach.danninham@gmail.com to receive additional details about the 2025 NAIAHF Banquet sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship provides a Nike red bag, 2’x4’ banner and gift to attending inductees. If you want any of these items you can purchase them: Nike red bag for $45 USD each, 2'X4' banner for $45 USD each or a 4'6' banner for $110 USD each. These costs may change depending on the size of the order. These can either be purchased by the individual inductee, or the inductee can find a sponsor and send Dr. Dan a logo in a vector pdf file format to be placed on the bottom left space opposite the QR Code. The deadline to order is Friday noon central time, May 2, 2025 and a shipping cost will be added to the billing invoice. DON’T SEND PAYMENT UNTIL YOU ARE GIVEN A COST AND OTHER PROCEDURES. Contact Dr. Dan if you want to see a sample bag and banner. Note: No one is allowed to use the NAIAHF logo to print on a product without written consent from Dr. Dan and Susan. Dr. Dan and Susan Ninham, NAIAHF Gold Sponsor $5,000 Three reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 30 total Logo on the Welcome signage Logo on both sides of the Autograph Card Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage 2’x4’ banner at the banquet One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors at the banquet Silver Sponsor $3,000 Two reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 20 total Logo on the Welcome signage Logo on both sides of the Autograph Card Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage 2’x4’ banner at the banquet One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors at the Banquet Bronze Sponsor $1,000 One reserved VIP banquet table for 10 total Logo on the Welcome signage Logo on both sides of the Autograph Card Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage Video screen logo at the banquet One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors at the Banquet Hall Of Fame Table Sponsor $400 per 10 seat table Logo or words on the bottom of both sides of the Autograph Card Sponsor may designate who will be seated or allow Dr. Dan and Susan to seat people Announcement as a Table Sponsor at the Banquet Hall of Fame Banquet Drawing Prize Sponsor $500+ retail value of drawing prizes Logo or words on the bottom of both sides of the Autograph Card Announcement as a Drawing Sponsor at the Banquet 2024 Sponsors

Jason G. Montoya <Back Santa Ana Pueblo Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2025 Growing up on the Pueblo of Santa Ana located in central New Mexico along the Rio Grande River, Jason Montoya learned the sport of golf at the age of eight years old. His passion grew as the years moved on and Montoya started taking lessons during his eighth grade year and never looked back. Golf opened many doors for Montoya taking him on his journey to the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports, Leisure and Recreation Management, and Professional Golf Management. In 2012 he earned his PGA Class A membership to the Professional Golfers Association of America. Montoya was the first Pueblo to receive his PGA Class A membership, and he focused on growing the sport of golf to youth. In 2019 Montoya received the PGA Award of Youth Player Development in the Sun Country Section and was recognized as one of Golf Digest Magazine’s Best Teachers in the State. During the 2019 and 2020 seasons Montoya coached varsity golf at Albuquerque Academy, with both boys and girls teams winning State Championships. Montoya left the program to focus on his golf school at Santa Ana Golf Club. His coaching led 15 student athletes to earn golf scholarships to universities. He also became the Captain of Team New Mexico, and the team placed in the top 10 in the Junior Americas Cup between 2020 and 2024. Montoya has coached free golf camps to community members of tribes who own courses including Talking Stick (Salt River Pima), WeKoPa (Yavapai), Turning Stone (Oneida), Whirlwind (Gila River) and Twin Warrior (Santa Ana Pueblo). He developed a partnership withthe Nike N7 Sports Experience and was a Nike N7 Ambassador who has been a part of the golf initiative since 2016. In 2023 Nike N7 Day of Inspiration was held at his home course (Twin Warriors) for the PGA Professional National Championship featured on the Golf Channel network highlighting Montoya’s golf journey.

< Back Thomas Rahontsiiostha Barreiro Thomas Rahontsiiostha Barreiro Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Thomas and Phillip Barreiro are multi-time Canadian Greco-Roman Wrestling National champions. They strive to be good role models for young people on the Akwesasne Reservation. As experienced coaches, they have logged many years and countless hours working with the younger generation in their community. They are both passionate about sport and have a lot of love for the culture that raised them to be who they are today. They emphasize the importance for young people to develop mindful values and personal discipline. This is critical in order to help Akwesasne youth achieve a healthy lifestyle, not just for themselves but for the community as well.   Thomas Barreiro is a dedicated father of two who is passionate about making a positive impact in his community. Thomas began wrestling in eighth grade at the age of 14. While in high school, Barreiro was a New York State place winner and North American Indigenous Games Champion. Barreiro attended NCAA Division 1 American University from 2010-2013. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from American University in 2013 and spent nine years working with youth at the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club. During that time, Barreiro became a six-time Canadian National Champion in Greco-Roman Wrestling representing Canada at both the World Championships and Pan-American Games. He also began coaching young wrestlers in his home community. He has recently started, alongside his brother Phillip, a non-profit youth development program titled GOOD MIND GRAPPLING. The program uses the sport of wrestling, and related grappling disciplines, to promote physical literacy and combat intergeneration trauma in indigenous youth. <Back

< Back Jerry Louie-McGee Jerry Louie-McGee Coeur d’Alene Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Jerry Louie-McGee’s high school career started in the city of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho at Lake City High School. He was named to the 2014 American Family Insurance All-USA Idaho Football Team after his senior season, was a 5-A All Idaho Selection, rushed for 757 yards and seven touchdowns and caught passes for 1104 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He was named Inland Empire League MVP as a senior, and won a 2014 Idaho Class 5A State Track Championship as a junior in the 400 meters. Louie-McGee was an All Conference receiver and special team’s returner three years, Team Offensive Player of the Year his junior year and MVP senior year. Louie-McGee committed to the University of Montana Grizzlies in his senior year and redshirted in 2015. During the 2016 season, he was named a finalist for the Stats FCS Jerry Rice Award for the nation’s top freshman athlete. He was also named All Big Sky Honorable Mention receiver and punt returner. Louie-McGee broke the school and Big Sky record for receptions in a game (21), broke the school record for average receptions in a game with 9.1 and averaged 19.2 yards per punt return, had 981 all-purpose yards and a 122.6 total yards per game. His sophomore year he was named All Big Sky Honorable Mention as a wide receiver and return specialist, led the team with 50 receptions with 1000 all-purpose yards. During his junior season he was named All Big Sky punt returner, and All Big Sky Honorable Mention receiver. During his senior season he was named Root Sports Big Sky Special Team Player of the Week twice, Stats FCS National Special Teams Honorable Mention, and HERO Sports FCS All American punt returner and First Team Big Sky Conference punt returner. Louie-McGee has the school record for most receptions in a career with 237. After receiving his degree in psychology, Louie-McGee has been the Behavioral Health Case Manager for his tribe in Idaho and assists people through difficult times with their mental health and healing from intergenerational and current trauma. Louie-McGee’s dad Wade was also inducted into the NAIAHF class of 2024. <Back

< Back Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson Stockbridge-Munsee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Jimmie Johnson was born June 6, 1879, the son of Adis Tousey, a Stockbridge - Munsee Indian, in Edgerton, Wisconsin. In 1899, Johnson attended the Carlisle Indian Industrial School of Carlisle, Pennsylvania and joined the school's renowned football team as a quarterback. Under the direction of Carlisle’s legendary coach, Glenn “Pop” Warner, Johnson and his teammates regularly excelled in competition against the powerful football programs of the era such as Penn, Harvard and Yale. During the 1903 season, in a game at Harvard, the Indians found themselves evenly matched against the heavily-favored Harvard. Carlisle had Harvard challenged before a crowd of 15,000 spectators. To start the game’s second half, Johnson executed one of the most memorable scoring plays in the history of early football. After receiving the kickoff, he quickly tucked the football inside the back of teammate Charles Dillon’s jersey. Johnson began a run while holding an imaginary ball. When the Harvard defenders pulled him to the ground, they found that Johnson did not hold the football. In the meantime, Dillon had reached the goal line. Dillon had to touch the ball to the field in order for the score to count and had trouble reaching the ball still positioned up the back of his jersey. With Harvard players confused over what had occurred, Johnson ran to Dillon, removed the hidden ball, and touched it to the field for a score. Harvard complained of foul play, contemporary rules were mute on the subject of a hidden ball, and Carlisle took the lead. Harvard later rallied to win the game 12 to 11, but Carlisle’s trick play made the headlines and became a football legend.. Johnson would be named to Walter Camp’s All-American Football Team. After graduation from Carlisle, Johnson was eligible to continue his playing career as a graduate student at another school and entered the Dental School at Northwestern University. Johnson played for Northwestern in 1904 and 1905, ending his football career with an injury in the game against Minnesota. Johnson earned a D.D.S. degree from Northwestern in 1907 and returned to the Carlisle squad as an assistant to Coach Warner. There, he helped recognize and develop the talents of Jim Thorpe, who subsequently became known as one of the world’s greatest athletes. After practicing dentistry briefly back in Chicago, Johnson and his wife, Florence Welch, an Oneida Indian from Wisconsin and also a Carlisle graduate, moved to Puerto Rico. Johnson set up a successful dentistry practice in San Juan. Johnson died January 19, 1942, at Rochester, Minnesota, and was buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Chicago. In 1969, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Source: Northwestern University Library Archives <Back